The year was 2014, and the theme was "A Renaissance", the era of revival in the new age. The core looked somewhat different, with a Trinity leading from the front. Malhar had a newsletter, the precursor to Taal, titled ‘Raga’, and was handled by the smallest department of Malhar with a few volunteers. With personality contests such as Mr. and Ms. Malhar; a major attraction in events, and ‘Souvenirs’ and ‘Graffix’ departments prevailing in the Management domain, we have since seen the Trinity evolve into the Quartet, Malhar’s blog emerge in the form of ‘Swar’, ‘Confluence in 2018’ transform to ‘Conclave’ and department identities grow stronger.
Over the longstanding 46 years of Malhar, departments have evolved, festivities have transformed, and the spirit has strengthened. Traditions have been shaped, moving along from one generation to the other, and while it may not look the same, Malhar’s synergy has stayed the same.
“Every year that you do Malhar is something new gained.” A former Xavierite, Nia Carnelio, once said in a heartfelt ode to the festival that, all in all, shapes us bit by bit. Each year, every member of Malhar—from staff to volunteers—finds new meaning, new experiences and new traditions. And so, this is our “something new gained” in recent years:
Malhar’s department chants—the unbeatable tradition—echo throughout the grounds, ringing the fest’s arrival on the packed campus of June with pomp. Workforce meets are found to be the space to embrace fiery chant wars with ‘आवाज कोणाचा, Logsचा’, ‘लोग आनेका, Assistance चिल्लाने का’, ‘आवाज़ लगाने का, Texxx चिल्लाने का’, and ‘धंप्पा लगा लगा लगा, Hoohaa Hoohaa’ for none other than Security.
Security, Assistance, Logistics and Technicals command the largest number of volunteers. And of course, their traditions ring the loudest just like their chants. Setting up the quad, finds Logs piling up on carts, zooming around, taking along everyone as you go. The stage is perfectly inaugurated when ‘One Kiss’ by Dua Lipa fills the quad courtesy of our Texx department. A trip, one with the core members of assistance, marks their last respite before their cycle of ‘judge blocks’ commences. With these departments hard at work the entire day, they make sure to play harder as the night ensues. Football matches between Audience and VIP Gates’ teams are almost always in favour of the VIP team. Clearing out venues wins a better reputation with Dog ‘n’ the Bone in the foyer and Catch ‘n’ Cook in the Halls. Induction of a new member in CnD - Logs is a sacred ceremony with their very own ‘तेरा पैर, मेरा पैर’, a game you only understand after playing it.
Cardolates have been Hospitality’s love letter, keepsakes for the entire workforce, embodying friendships, old and new. An LA tradition which shares this sweetness is one wherein the whole team reads the cardolates together in the LA Lounge on the final evening, wrapping up memories as we go. Conclave aims to bring to life new connections where their former OCs establish a legacy, imparting old wisdom to reel in new personalities.
WPA and Admin manage to etch Malhar ‘literally’ onto you with their very own stamp and sticker. If you leave the festival either being ‘Wuhpa-fied’ or ‘Admin Approved’, we’ll know you had a hell of a time at the events.
Before the turning off of the lights and waiting for the aftermovie, “when people in the quad start chanting FnD, FnD!”, the entire workforce resonates with one name (even through hoarse voices and tired feet). The propaganda we will always keep falling for is the one shared space, where everyone is encouraged to be their rawest and funnest version, pulsating the grounds and reverbs of Malhar.
Thus, ‘There’s no place like home’ is a line you’ll find very common amongst DnM, FnD and Comps. The Hall Galleries are renewed with installations’ material every year, and the arches a haven for our beloved ‘3 days to go’ reminders tuned to ‘Where’d All the Time Go’ by Dr. Dog. Even a meme website, a discord chat, and a hero page with no content - just landing animations - becomes a way to share the joy of being the backbone silently through the years, a perennial source which keeps upgrading itself and the face of Malhar.
Even our Quartet doesn't fail to uphold traditions, especially when female CPs drape a saree for the first day of Conclave. Honouring these traditions truly becomes a community experience, then.
Malhar By the Bay and AmNites are Malhar traditions, where Xavierite performers own the night with music, dance and lights. While one is a breezy gig before the days of Malhar, the other is held on the second evening of Malhar - the ultimate college celebrations where the workforce finds their beats to be remembered. As iconic is the Concert on the third night, where we bid farewell to our fest for another year.
So, year after year, with new departments following the old, traditions change, and will keep on changing. What remains is the utmost appreciation for the people and ideas, along with the feelings and emotions that don't leave you even when Malhar inevitably does. It is an honour to be part of an experience that transcends time and is passed down to the next generations as a “Oh, हमारे time में…”